No Host for 2019 Oscars – but Big-Name Presenters Revealed

Following comedian and actor Kevin Hart’s resignation from hosting duties at this year’s Academy Awards, speculation has been rife as to who could step in and take his place. Hart had resigned from accepting the role after a number of homophobic tweets had been unearthed from years before – echoing James Gunn’s exit from Marvel Studios last year (though Disney chose to remove the director themselves). As a result, bookmakers everywhere went wild as to guess who would take up the mantle next – and, as it has transpired, no one will.

According to The Guardian, the Oscars will go without a host this year for the first time in over three decades. This means that the awards will instead be introduced by a number of big-name presenters, offering considerable variety to the evening. While the ceremony – celebrating the best in movie talent from the twelve months prior – has traditionally had a single host helming the events, it seems that a slightly different strategy is being eyed for 2019.

Following this revelation, it’s also been revealed who will be presenting awards on the evening, due to take place at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater on February 24th. Big names already confirmed to be taking part in award-giving include Chris Evans, Jennifer Lopez, Brie Larson, Maya Rudolph, Tessa Thompson, Daniel Craig, Awkwafina, Amy Poehler, Whoopi Goldberg, Amandla Stenberg, Constance Wu and Charlize Theron. That’s an award-winning line-up – and it’s unlikely to be the final roster, as more details are expected to roll out in the days leading up to the Oscars.

It had been claimed previously by SAG-AFTRA, the Screen Actors Guild, that a huge amount of pressure had been placed upon certain actors to present at the Oscars as a result. “We have received multiple reports of these activities and have experienced firsthand the Academy’s graceless pressure tactics and attempts to control the awards show talent pipeline,” the union advised. The statement comes as it’s reported many actors have felt pressurized not to host any other awards ahead of the Academy’s own – such as the SAG awards.

“Actors should be free to accept any offer to participate in industry celebrations. The apparent attempt by the Academy to keep our members from presenting on their own awards show is utterly outrageous and unacceptable.”

Quite what the final line-up will be for the 2019 Oscars remains to be seen – but it certainly seems like it will be an interesting change of pace.